Despite the distillery closing in 1994, owners Loch Lomond have been releasing some of the now-mature stocks every year. The 2015 edition was distilled between December 17 1989 and April 4 1990 and has been bottled at 25 years old. Aged in a combination of ten American and European oak cask, it was married together in first-fill oloroso sherry casks. Limited to 1,500 bottles, this comes in a wooden box with a miniature, so you can try the whisky before you open the bottle.
A fairly new official Littlemill by the new owners, bottled under the ‘Annual Release’ series. It’s a blend of the 1989 and 1990 vintages, 10 casks altogether, finished in 1st fill oloroso. Which might, in truth, be a bit scary… Colour: deep gold. Nose: the sherry speaks first, with a slightly oxidative style, some walnuts, a little tobacco, some bitter chocolate… Littlemill’s usual topical style remains a little muted, but you do ‘hear’ it if you listen hard. With water: improves a lot, with lovely whiffs of damp earth, mushrooms, and more walnuts. I like walnuts. Also a little leather, and oranges that are starting to sing louder. Mouth (neat): it is a pleasant combination of tart citrusy fruits and very tobacco-ish notes from the sherry. Pipe tobacco (not too dark) and tangerines, grapefruits and passion fruits (touches). Good body, and despite the finishing, it hasn’t quite lost the distillate’s original freshness. With water: quite some wood extracts, around menthol and pine sap. Perhaps a touch of wild thyme and even rosemary, which is ‘funny’. Finish: rather long, perhaps a tad drying now. Strong black tea and liquorice wood (flavoured with menthol). Comments: perhaps not one of these bright fruity Littlemills, but I find it more than good. Only the price may be a little less sexy, I’ve seen it at $2,628.95 (no typo) at The Whisky Barrel. SGP:551 - 87 points.
Distillery | Littlemill |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./Released | 762/1500 |
Vintage | - |
Age | 25 |
Bottler | Official Bottling |
Bottling Date | 2015 |
ABV/ Volume | 50.4%/ 75cl |
Rating/SGP | 87/551 |
Cask Number | - |